DVII Dimensions

Major Larabee · 14 July 2009, 03:18 AM

Can anyone tell me the fuselage width of the DVII, thanks

Jeff Brooks · 14 July 2009, 03:28 AM

at the widest part, 700mm. then it tapers after the pilot's seat

Dan_San_Abbott · 14 July 2009, 11:34 AM

Hi Jeff:
The information I have from Fok.D.VII 10349/18 show the width is 700mm from the radiator to to the station at the front of the cockpit were the rear MG mounting is, and the tapers starts from there.
Blue skies Jeff,
Dan-San

bristol scout · 14 July 2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

Hi Jeff:
The information I have from Fok.D.VII 10349/18 show the width is 700mm from the radiator to to the station at the front of the cockpit were the rear MG mounting is, and the tapers starts from there.
Blue skies Jeff,
Dan-San

Hi guys,
Am i right in saying that it's not a uniform smooth taper but a series of 'flats' Dan-San?

Dave.

'14-'18aviationcollector · 14 July 2009, 06:07 PM

Hi Dave,

From what I have heard that is correct. The curve of the fuselage is actually a series of flat sections of tube along the horizontal bays between the vertical and horizontal fuselage members.

Cheers,

David.

Maxim08 · 14 July 2009, 08:11 PM

bristol/Dave,
Everyone is correct. I have only seen and checked dimensions on two D VIIs, the Ottawa/Mathieson (greatly hacked around during it's life) and the Knowlton version. Measurements provided to me from the example at Le Bourget agree.
Both are 700mm tube centreline to tube centreline across the width from the front of the cockpit to the firewall. The frame behind the pilot is the first narrowing frame. The longerons are not curved like would would be, but bent with heat during final welding where required as the fuselage tapers. It gives an angular look softened some what by the fabric covering the fuselage.
Check Jeff's early posting about his D VII project. You can see the angular shape.
Regards,
John

Dan_San_Abbott · 16 July 2009, 12:11 PM

Gentlemen:
That is correct, it is center-line to center-line. After I posted yesterday I dug out my data from Jim Mathisen's Fok.D.VII 10349/18. The curve is taken out of the longerons and the stress is releaved by making flats between each station. All dimensions are on center-line to center-line. That takes care of the decreasing tube diamenters on the length of the fuselage. What Dewey Ward did to the upper wing in his rebuild sometime in the 1930s is unbelievable. In my conversations with Jim in the 1974-6, he was undecided about what to do with the upper wing. My suggestion to him was to make a new wing, using the old smashed wing as a pattern. The end result was he did nothing.
Dewey Ward's son in-law had offered me the D.VII for $400! I was living in an apartment and no place to store it.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Maxim08 · 17 July 2009, 06:14 AM

Dan-San,
When I inspected the remaining ribs some years ago, many of the upper wing ribs still had evidence of aluminium patches on the leading edge. I understand that the cutout in the upper wing was enlarged to allow better access for the passenger during it's two-seater phase.
I have a great (!) photo of NAM staff chiseling off ribs during the refurb.
Judging by the notes that Joe DF compiled during his tenure with the aircraft, your $400.00 (1960s $$?) may not have been that great a bargain! Are your your inspection notes of the aircraft available?
Regards,
John